LEXINGTON — Lady Lex’s second-half magic ran out Thursday night.
Elida’s Lexi Good scored on a penalty kick with 18:22 remaining and the Bulldogs held on for a 2-1 win in the Division III girls district final.
“We’ve been a great second-half team all year long,” Lexington coach Buck Morton said. “We’ve come back in situations … we know how to do it. It’s just a different pressure situation.”
Lady Lex (13-4-3) trailed 1-0 at the half before equalling in the 50th minute. Morgan Harrod’s free kick from just outside the box rattled the post and Jersie Palmer was there to collect the rebound.
“When we got that first one I thought, ‘we’re playing downhill,’ ” Morton said. “We’re doing what we normally do.”
Lady Lex had opportunities to take the lead, but had two shots hit the crossbar.
“Audrey Wendling about had one and Taylor (Wilson) about had one,” Morton said. “We had multiple (chances).”
Good’s game-winning PK came after Lady Lex was called for a controversial penalty in the box.
“That was not a great call,” Morton said. “The ball was clearly away and (the official) had not called anything like that all night long. I didn’t agree with that.”
Magical Season
Lady Lex won an outright Ohio Cardinal Conference championship and finished as district runner-up.
“Our senior class was great,” Morton said. “I always tell our girls every single person has to play like it’s their senior year. You’ve got to buy in and they did.”